Going To Extremes

Published 6:51 pm, Sunday, April 7, 2013

Folks gather next to one of the exhibits at the Extreme Drawing Exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield. Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013
Photo: Scott Mullin

Folks gather next to one of the exhibits at the Extreme Drawing...

Robert Longo's charcoal illustration of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. is one of the exhibits that attracted many at the Extreme Drawing Exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield. Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013
Photo: Scott Mullin

Robert Longo's charcoal illustration of the Capitol building in...

In a tribute to Maurice Sendak, illustrator and former Ridgefield resident Jamison Odone works on a drawing that kids can add to as part of the Extreme Drawing Exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield. Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013
Photo: Scott Mullin

In a tribute to Maurice Sendak, illustrator and former Ridgefield...

Five-year-old Ridgefielder Maxim Salamon makes some art of his own as kids had the opportunity to draw on paper attached to walls at the Extreme Drawing Exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield. Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013
Photo: Scott Mullin

Five-year-old Ridgefielder Maxim Salamon makes some art of his own...

Sabastian Blanck works on a drawing under the instruction of his son Sanders, 3, at the Extreme Drawing Exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield. Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013
Photo: Scott Mullin

Sabastian Blanck works on a drawing under the instruction of his...

Helen Riser, 11, of Ridgefield, works intently on her art as kids had the opportunity to draw on paper attached to walls at the Extreme Drawing Exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield. Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013
Photo: Scott Mullin

Helen Riser, 11, of Ridgefield, works intently on her art as kids...

Nine year old Elliot Feldman, left, and Abraham Esber, 10, work on drawings as kids had the opportunity to draw with markers on paper attached to walls during the Extreme Drawing Exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield. Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013
Photo: Scott Mullin

Nine year old Elliot Feldman, left, and Abraham Esber, 10, work on...

Talis Aubier Hatch, 5, left, and Miles Chabannes Cronin, 4, work together on a Styrofoam sculpture in a workshop as part of the Extreme Drawing Exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield. Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013
Photo: Scott Mullin

Talis Aubier Hatch, 5, left, and Miles Chabannes Cronin, 4, work...

Davis Campbell, art handler at the Aldrich Museum, installs a new exhibit of work by Harry Dodge, titled "Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy," in Ridgefield, Conn. Sunday, March 17, 2013.
Photo: Michael Duffy

Drawing is the most direct and universal means of visual expression. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield presents exhibitions and programs showcasing artists who push the boundaries of drawing to extremes. The six exhibitions include "Ballpoint Pen Drawing Since 1950" and Harry Dodge's "Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy."

In conjunction with the exhibit is a program called "Extreme Draw On!" Artist Jamison Odone leads a Maurice Sendak-inspired collabrative mural drawing on the wall of The Aldrich, part of a six-week program that celebrates every aspect of drawing with workshops, classes and events.

The drawing programs will culminate with Family Day on May 4, when artists from the

Sendak Foundation will present a series of mini short films. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.